I was 10. We read the first chapter of "The Hobbit" in my 6th grade reader and I went home and started the book. (My mom's a big fan too.) I finished it, picked up LotR, and sincerely mourned being finished with it, because it was over. When I told my mom, she just smiled and handed me The Sil.

Favorite Tolkien character:

Eowyn. She was my favorite the first time I read the book, and still is 20 years later.